Find your way

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Great course? Check. Great weather? Check. Great racing? Check. Awesome volunteers? Check. Larry's Tavern open for biz? Check. BA whipping around in a black van screaming at Murdoch? No, but we did have BW rippin' on those gravel roads in the Land Cruiser.

Nice work everyone. Way to kill it. From Isaac and Vicki and Ronald and Harlan up front (and the Applegate' too!) to Steph and Jody in the back it was inspiring to watch you guys take on this course and push yourselves to the limit. We hope you enjoyed the day as much as we enjoyed having you out there!

Results, in no particular order.......(that was a joke, they are in finisher order, highlights on the top finishers per category.) Full results broken down by division are found over here: THE BIG WHITE TRAILER (btw, if you're looking for someone to time some events, Jim and his Big White Trailer rock.)

The team competition was taken out on the strength of some fine riding by Bob Blutarsky and friends with the Team Title going to CBRC/Team Blutarsky with Freeze Thaw Cycles in second and EWR/Spud Racing in third.

Special Iron Cross X.X.X. Edition beanies and T-shirts are still available for purchase if you just have to have one or you're looking for that super special unique gift idea for a loved one.

Iron Cross IX registration is open!! That's right, we were a bit behind in 2010 but we're slightly ahead of the game for 2011 with BikeReg up and running for next year. We're also offering a special reduced price through the end of October - sign up by 10/31 and save $10! Sweet, huh?

We're also already hard at work on the next edition and are planning a few new treats for participants.

50K Race. The new "IC Lite?" The 50K Iron Cross will be a shortened version of this puppy for riders looking for a less intense but still super fun event or those looking to take a sip of the fine wine that is Iron Cross and are afraid that too much of a good thing will only result in something they regret later.

Party Bus! Sounds like Cumberland Co. visitors bureau is pretty excited about this idea as are we. The plan is that we'll have a bus to take family, friends, supporters, hangers on and the rest of your entourage to a couple spots on the course so they can see you racing, running, crawling, and cursing the promoters. The plan is to hit the start, Lippencote Tr. and Wigwam Run-Up before heading back to the finish line. More on this as we close in on 2011, but it should be a good time and supported by local PA businesses!

We're also introducing/re-introducing some other Iron Cross gear like jerseys, bib shorts and sweatshirts to fill your apparel needs. Designs for the 2011 gear should be done by the end of 2010 and will be posted on this site and on BikeReg - we'll let you know. We will have some sort of deadline on the gear for orders that can be picked up on race day and likely another option to order gear we'll mail out after race day. So check it out and add it all to your list for Santa. Of course that means you need to stop being naughty too so good luck with that I guess.

All of the above is laid out on the reg page for next year and will soon be added to this site as well so keep checking back!

Thanks again for a wonderful X.X.X. edition of Iron Cross. We love having you guys out and we hope it shows.

One last bit. If you have blogs, race reports, riding photos, anecdotes, war stories, wound pics (always a crowd pleaser) you'd like to share, ship 'em on over to me and we'll post 'em here [subject too a quick look-see!]

Check back soon for links to photographers' pages too. Until then, keep the hammer down. And don't be a fool, sign up for IC IX and save some dough. 'Cause, you know, we pity the fool...

Friday, October 8, 2010

Just sent this out to all pre-reg'd riders...figured those of you making the trip up might like to see it too. Not much here that isn't covered on the site, but it is all wrapped up in one place this way!!

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All,

Thanks for the support and love. We're getting things ready for your arrival and looking forward to what is set up to be a beautiful day in the Michaux woods - though you may feel different about this about 2/3 of the way up Wigwam...

A few bits and pieces:

First and foremost before we do anything else we have to recognize three very important people.

For those of you who do not know, there has been a little change for us this year. Actually, it is not so little. Mark Laser, Chris Houston and Karen Polensky are all stepping back from IC to focus on other things. Mark was really THE guy to bring IC to life and Chris and Karen have been very instrumental in our success over the years. We're working hard not to screw it up with all the good stuff they've done and you'll see some new things happening too in coming years. Unfortunately you may not even see Mark, Chris or Karen this weekend as all three are quite busy with other things (they've cut the umbilical cord big time!) but hopefully those who can will stop by and I'm sure you'll see them in future editions - hopefully standing on the start line next to you! Look for a follow up on this on the new race site next week too. Mark, Chris and Karen - Thank You Very Much!

On to some race stuff:

1. There are start slots left so bring some friends! (approx 235 pre-reg)
2. There are bunkhouses left. $20 for the night, right next to the start line. Easy peasy bacon cheesy.
3. No bacon cheesy, but Spaghetti Dinner on Sat night from 6:00-7:30 for everyone coming in the night before (thanks to the Stodterds!).
4. Sat Night Number Pickup - We will be open from 5:00PM to 7:00PM for race number pick up at the Camp Thompson mess hall/race HQ.

9. Drop bags must be put in the Checkpoint bins located next to the Race HQ/Reg building by 8:30AM. No bags dropped after 8:30AM are likely to make it to the checkpoints.

10. The cut off time at CP#4 is 3:30PM

Lots of information on www.IronCrossRace.com for you - course description, schedule, directions, etc. Please check there first if you have any questions as I'm going to be in the woods of Michaux from here on out and it is tough to get information in or out of there...scary I know.

If you do need to reach me for info or questions try my cell at 717-350-1029. I probably won't pick up when you call but leave a message and I'll get back to you when I take a trip back to civilization!

Rest up, eat up, psych up and we'll see you on Sunday morning for IC VIII!!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Okay, I know I shouldn't play favorites, but if I had my druthers there is one person I would pick to win this thing...

ME!!

(okay, who didn't see that coming?)

But since I don't see myself riding this thing this weekend I'm gonna go with Ray Adams. Ray and I have been running a team together for about six years - first VisitPA.com and more recently PAValleys.com - and last year we officially launched the Trans-Sylvania Epic Mountain Bike Stage Race. He's a biz partner and good friend. It is nice when you give props to someone like that. It is also nice that Ray can back it up to keep me from looking like a fool and will certainly be in the mix for the win this weekend.

Like Mr. Cupcake Keefer, Ray has a ton of experience in this race with several top 10 finishes over the year including standing on one of the podium steps a few years back. Ray knows how the race is likely to unfold and can put both some his light build to good use on the 6,000+ feet of elevation gain and his mtb skillz to work on that wicked fun singletrack made all the more wicked on skinny tires. With climbing as one of his fortes Ray also has the advantage of perhaps not needing to go as deep into the red on the numerous big climbs that dot IC as some of the bigger guys will. Or maybe Ray's thinking of giving it just enough stick to make those big boys suffer that little bit extra that puts some doubts in their minds and takes some zip out of their legs for later in the race. Ray also spent the summer hitting the Michaux endurance series events and finished second overall just behind Keefer showing some form into September. We'll be looking to see how that form has played out this weekend.

Ray definitely has the experience and fitness to be at the head of this race for a long time. This guy sees Ray's strengths really paying off from CP#3 and the ensuing Hogshead climb through to the end of the race. If Ray's been able to keep it close and save some energy into CP#3 I would be looking for a move soon after the road hits the first steep pitches of Hogshead. And if that first attack doesn't work I'm pretty sure Ray will go again as Hogshead (and that nasty irritating bit of Woodrow we add on for spite) offers plenty of opportunities to break some legs. In that sort of situation Ray is going to be pretty hard to match with one of the best power to weight ratios in the mid-Atlantic MTB scene. When the road goes up Ray is perhaps at his very best.

Ray can ride singletrack too and once over Hogs/Woodrow there is a good bit of the tight and twisty stuff to help Ray maintain or even extend a lead over less technically capable riders. If Ray's well clear at the top of the last run up he's going to be hard to catch though those last few miles do edge the power:weight advantage toward slightly bigger guys who can throw down the big numbers on the paved descent and fast rollers of 233 back to camp T.

Luckily for Ray I'm in the lead vehicle and I watch a lot of bike racing on TV so I know all about those Turbo Bottles.

So, my personal favorite of the favorites for IC VIII is my bud Ray, but he's got his work cut out for him. Here's some extra motivation though - if he doesn't win we'll probably have to kick him off the team (reminder, he runs it...that would be hard to do...sorry I need to spell this out if you get it already but after the whole mountain bikers wanting to kick my ass bit I'm playing it safe.)

There are a couple more guys in this thing and few ladies making the trip that I'd like to mention, but with IC Day so close...well don't hold your breath. Plus, a few I'm looking for haven't signed on officially yet so who knows if they'll really show! Two that definitely deserve mention are Cameron Cogburn and Adam Farabaugh so I'll try to get to those guys tomorrow.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Mike Keefer is a complete cupcake. At least I think he's a cupcake. One of those Gettysburg Cupcakes that call the wilderness of Michaux home (though he is officially riding for Gettysburg Bicycle/Hammer Nutrion). The Cupcakes are like those guys that palled around with that Swamp Fox fella during the Revolution. They lie in wait using their intimate knowledge of their surroundings to lull you into a false sense of security and then, when you're least expecting, launch some attack that takes you completely by surprise and ends in some zany adventure running around the woods chasing the British...errrr, wait...I might be thinking about reruns I watched as a kid with that Naked Gun guy. Either way it's pretty much the same thing. The Swamp Fox Theme Song

Keefer is a on a roll and may be riding better than he has a few years (since yours truly edged him out at a NORBA National a few years back which I just had to bring up to prove that I was fast at one point and may well not even be true, but again, I was fast - that's the take home people) and posted some seriously sweet results in hard endurance races this year. He took the overall win the Michaux Endurance Series edging out another contender for Iron Cross, perennial top fiver Ray Adams of the PAValleys.com Team, in that season long competition. Keefer also finished in a strong 8.5 hours at the Shenandoah 100 in a tune-up for IC (okay, I don't know if it was a tune-up for IC, but since this is pretty much the most important race of the year we must assume he was tuning up.)

So we know that he can ride his bike fast, he appears to be fit and we know that he knows the Michaux terrain and trails as well as or better than anyone else in this race. We don't know if he knows that we know that he knows, but if he reads this entry he'll find out so keep it on the DL. He is definitely going to be one of the fastest riders of the day on the Lippencote descent - which he's likely to ride without dismounting and without a whole lot of braking even as I'm sure he has it dialed. Keefer will be looking to put the hurt on a lot of guys with less technical ability than what he has both on Lip. Tr. and in the single track in the last quarter of the race.

Keefer has another thing going for him - experience. Mike has participated in Iron Cross enough times that he knows how the race is likely to unfold. He knows where move are made and where you can save some energy because the moves made are unlikely to stick. He'll look forward to the places where his prowess on the mountain bike will best allow him to forge an advantage or chill while others are fighting the rocks and techy bits.

It is arguable that Keefer and J. Beck - the two riders we've profiled so far - are almost opposites in their strengths and weaknesses. While both are very strong riders Keefer comes to IC from a mountain bike background while Josh is coming off a summer of multisport racing that is likely to only have included dirt in that bit of course where the water meets the bike transition. Where Keefer is going to rule the rocks, Josh will find his biggest challenges. While Josh is very at home on his feet and likely to put in a major assault on Wigwam you can bet that Keefer will be looking to limit losses whenever he is off the bike.

This is the sort of set up that makes IC the very unique race and experience it is for everyone who takes part and makes calling the race results something I sure ain't willing to do!

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Real quick - here's a shout out to Mr. Hans Bakermans. Hans will likely admit he isn't going for the win at IC, but what he probably won't admit because he is too nice a guy is that he's been a big part of this thing for a couple years by helping us run one of the checkpoints. Hans is racing this year so be sure to thank him for his hard work in the past and wish him well!

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Saw some tweet about past IC champ and sole 90 mile version finisher Jeremiah Bishop of Cannondale hinting about coming out for another crack at IC (yay!) this wknd or heading to Cinci (bleh) for three races that together won't add up to ICs 100k of fun and mayhem. It said to vote at www.jeremiahbishop.com, but I don't see a lever to pull so go there and then email him directly.

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Sing it with me now, "Swamp Fox, Swamp Fox tail on his hat, nobody knows where the swamp fox is at..."

It appears that we've offended with the very tongue in cheek post about equipment, the one concerning bike choice at Iron 'Cross. We want to be clear on this point in case it was not clear from the end of that post where it states: "No, really, MTBs are okay at Iron 'Cross. They haven't been banned...yet. If that's what you got, bring it 'cause you just have to do this thing and all us bike riders love each other."

It has always been okay to ride mountain bikes at Iron Cross. BUT, this is Iron CROSS. It is designed to be experienced from the saddle of a 'cross bike and was designed to be that way from the very beginnings of the event. That was a point of the post.

Three Peaks => mountain bikes are banned. Regular 'cross races everywhere around the world, mountain bikes => banned; heck they even mandate that a person can't use a tire more than 33mm wide. If we ever do it, we would ban MTBs not because we don't like them (in fact, we all ride mtbs a lot) or the people who ride them. We might eventually ban mountain bikes because of our intent and philosophy that this is a very special sort of cyclocross experience and because it is more fair if everyone is on the same style bike. Those reasons should not be seen as an insult and until we do make that rule we hope mountain bikes remain a part of Iron Cross.

The point of this event is that it is 'cross race. The point of the post is to tell one and all that a 'cross bike is THE way to ride Iron Cross. And, if a person who has both a 'cross bike and an mtb to choose from comes with the mountain bike because they think it will give them an advantage then that person is missing the point of the race and the experience of Iron Cross. If a person is not part of the particular group which could choose to use an mtb for a perceived competitive advantage then that bit doesn't apply to them. If a person rides an mtb b/c that is all that person has, as we say, 'That's cool because the race is fun either way. C'mon out!'

I apologize if you found the post insulting personally or to the mountain bike community. Many people who might visit this site don't know me and may not yet have experienced the irreverence of the event or slightly off-kilter minds of its promoters. I should not have assumed that the post would appear humorous even if written in such a was as to be so outlandish ('the Shack calling'...'your mom riding IC on a 'cross bike and calling you a pansy'..."seriously seriously seriously") that it couldn't possibly be real or genuinely reflect a negative attitude toward mountain bikes due to the nature of internet postings. Those of you who emailed with thanks for the laughs - well, I do appreciate that and am glad my twisted humor wasn't lost on everyone.

Please try to re-read the post in the tongue-in-cheek manner it was written - you may even find it amusing. Then come out and join in. Those who come out will have a heck of a time and find out that IC is about as far from "elitist" as it can be..... You'll even have fun if you do it on a mountain bike (wink, wink, lol, :-)).

One last thing. It is not constructive to post anonymous personal insults or curse profusely at someone in the comments section of a site. The ability to post comments has been removed from this site. If you have concerns about the event feel free to contact me directly at the information listed at the bottom of this page. If you expect or would like a response please be courteous. Posts that warrant it shall be given a disclaimer.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Sunday morning Iron Cross Race Day Breakfast this year is being provided by the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park! From the beginning, Pine Grove Furnace State Park has been the home of Iron Cross, and this is a great way to get an awesome breakfast and support activities and improvements at the Park at the same time! Proceeds from the Iron Cross breakfast will be used to support activities by the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

Breakfast is $5 per person. Additional donations are welcome. For a measly five-spot, you get all that yummy goodness above! Eat up!

This is all possible due to the kind support of Wenger’s Meats in Carlisle www.wengermeats.com, Nuts About Granola of York www.nutsaboutgranola.com, Green Mountain Coffee, Karns Food Store in Boiling Springs, and Giant Food Stores of PA.

The Friends hope to see you at the Fall Furnace Fest at the park the weekend after the race (Saturday and Sunday October 16-17, starting at 1 PM each day)! Enjoy fun Fall activities amidst the beauty of Pine Grove Furnace State Park.

The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park formed in June 2010. This formation was to provide volunteers additional outlets at the park and surrounding forest through which to contribute to the conservation and preservation of the park and its resources.

Friends formed as a chapter of the Pa Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF). PPFF is a private, non-profit organization that works to develop resources which complement the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Mission Statement
The Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park exists to keep history alive and promote the educational and recreational programs of the park and surrounding areas through special events and trail development while protecting the park’s natural resources.